"Jews, so they think they are special?"
Yeah, because in a certain way, they are. "So does that mean they are better, more loved, always right in every political dispute?" No, in many ways it means they will be under more scrutiny, disciplined more, and far more accountable before God than other nations. Being chosen can be quite a burden. God’s Word over and over again affirms the truth that the Jews are God’s chosen people: “You are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 7:6). "So, does this give them carte blanche to act anyway they want in the world?" No, not at all. This does not make them superior. This doesn't mean Bibi Netanyahu is a saint, this doesn't give their military the right to willy-billy bomb the Palestinians, and just because someone is a Jew it is not O.k. for them to hoard their wealth, and make perverse movies and TV shows...like so many of them do. Plain and simple, as the chosen, they are responsible. Scripture says, "To whom much is given, much is required." And much was given to them. "So, what were they given?" Paul says, "They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen." Wow, Jesus is a Jew... that is rather surprising? On the positive side: being chosen is an amazing honor. You get to be on the inside track with regards to the things of God. You get first dibs. On the negative side: being chosen can be tremendously dangerous; especially when you are closely watched by a jealous God. Now when I say jealous I am not talking about a God that has juvenile feelings, attitudes, and responses. God is perfect. He never reacts in a way that is less than who he is. But in his jealous perfection, he does not have as much patience for the foolishness of his chosen people as he would for other nations. All of us understand this, we exhibit the same kind of jealousy with our own kids. If they chose friends that we do not like, we are quick to let them know. If they make terrible choices at school, we are swift to punish and reprimand them. If they blurt out a disgusting curse word with glee, out comes the "Ivory Soap" for a good mouth washing. Believe me, I know. Would you respond like that if your neighbor's kid was naughty? No, you stay out of their business. So when God says he has chosen Israel to be his own, that means they have become a very real target. That can be quite scary. Three things we as non-Jews often fail to understand by this title of chosen: (1) Chosen means God has picked them to uniquely display his Greatness. This issue of being chosen really isn't about the Jews as much as it is about God's glory. In Deuteronomy 4:5-7 God explains to Israel that their obedience to his law will show him off to the world. He chose them to be his advertisers. He wants the world to watch them. He also has done the same thing now with each individual Christian he has chosen. Galatians 1:15 says that God chose us to "reveal his Son." Don't you see? Chosen doesn't mean you are better, it means you are given the responsibility to make God shine in your life! (2) Chosen means if you chose not to display God, he will make you miserable. Sadly the Jews didn't heed the overwhelming warnings given to them over the years. If you were to read Deuteronomy 28:15-68 all the way through, it is quite clear how serious God is about his glory being seen in his people. But they ignored him and chose not to display him. Sadly the holocaust plays an awful lot like this section of Deuteronomy. Romans 11 warns all Christians as well, if God can do that to his chosen nation who disobey why do we think we as chosen individuals will get away with continual disobedience? (3) Chosen means God is still going to bless the world through them no matter what. When they abandoned God, he started focusing his blessings and attention on the Gentiles. He did this for two reasons: To show the world he is good despite the response of his people, and secondly to cause his people to be jealous when they see non-Jews enjoying the grace of God. And let me tell you, when they finally come back, God is going to pour his blessings back not only on his people, but the whole world will benefit. They are the avenue of his blessings. We need to pray for Israel for the fact that when they come back we all win - - that means the ripe fruit of the new kingdom will start growing again. So don't be angry at the Jews. Be worried and show compassion for them. God will fulfill the promises he made to them, but he also promised that discipline and pruning always precedes blessing. It is a scary thing to have the eternal God as your disciplining Father. Is he yours?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
August 2018
|